1. Religion of the Greeks

2. Class Objective  We will understand how the Greeks tried to explain events in their world through mythology.

3. Origins of Greek Religion  The Greeks based their Gods on the gods of other civilizations.  They had a very polytheistic religion.  They believed that the gods had a role in the natural world and human affairs.

4.  Greek Gods were similar to humans in appearance and character except for their immortality.  Some gods were thought to be superior to others.

5.  The Greek gods lived close to the Greek civilizations. They lived on Mount Olympus. The tallest mountain in the main body of Greece.  The gods lived at the very top above the clouds.

6.  The head of all of the gods was Zeus, who had control over lightning.  These gods were usually perfect in all physical forms.  They all had their own human characteristics and faults.

7. Zeus  Unlike some of the other civilizations we have discussed, the Greek Gods took an active role in humans everyday life.  Zeus was the patriarch of the family of the gods.

8. Hera  Hera was the matriarch of the family of the gods.  She was very jealous.

9. Poseidon  Poseidon- Zeus’ brother lord of the sea

10. Hades  Hades- Zeus’ brother lord of the under world

11. Athena  Athena- Daughter of Zeus, noted for her wisdom, and lord over Athens Athena born from head of Zeus

12. Apollo  Apollo- Associated with the sun, poetry, music.

13. Artemis  Artemis- God of the hunt.

14. Ares  Ares- God of War

15. Aphrodite  Aphrodite- goddess of beauty and love. –Cupid the child of Aphrodite and Ares.

16. Hermes  Hermes- messenger of the gods.

17. Priests and Oracles  The Greeks did not have or need churches.  They relied on Priests and Oracles to speak and make sacrifices to the gods.  The priest and oracles would leave gifts of all sorts to the gods.

18. Temple of Concord

19.  Some of these priests said that they could see the future by interpreting signs for the gods.